Who will Win in Monte Carlo?

The 2013 Monte Carlo Masters is nearly upon us with some of the best players on the ATP circuit set to contest the title this year.

The biggest absentee is Roger Federer, who will wait another month before returning to competitive action at the Madrid Open, while Novak Djokovic is considering withdrawing from the event with an ankle injury.

So, who will win in Monaco without these two big names? Here are our tips for tennis betting fans:

Rafael Nadal:
Despite enduring seven months on the sidelines with injury, the 2012 Roland Garros champion has returned to the sport with a bang. He’s reached the final in all four events played this year, winning the latter three in Sao Paolo, Acapulco, and, impressively, Indian Wells.

The Spaniard is set to continue his superb clay form at Monte Carlo and deserves to be clear favourite for the title.

Andy Murray:
Murray showed his resilience to pressure at the Miami Masters two weeks ago when coming through a gruelling five-set clash with David Ferrer to win the illustrious title for the second time.

Murray has made three finals in four tournaments this season but Monte Carlo is his first test on clay. Although he is comfortable on the surface, he is nowhere near the standard of Nadal and Ferrer, meaning Murray is likely to fall at the semis.

David Ferrer:
Many will argue the Spaniard was unlucky to lose the Miami Masters final to Murray but others will say you make your own luck. Ferrer regained the world number four rank with that final berth yet craves to go one better at Monte Carlo.

He’s reached the final in both clay tournaments competed in this season and won Buenos Aires over Stanislas Wawrinka 6-4 3-6 6-1, the last set proving that when he’s on form he can match the ATP’s elite band and power through opponents.

Ferrer should make the semis and on clay has the potential to reach a final – where he will probably lose to Nadal.

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga:
A good outside bet to make the semis in Monaco, Tsonga has clay practice heading into the tournament after winning both his matches in the Davis Cup for France last weekend. Although the French lost out 3-2 to Argentina, his victories on the Parque Roca surface will put him in good stead for the conditions on the Mediterranean coast.

Tsonga has faired poorly at the Monte Carlo Masters these past three years but with clay form heading into the tournament is worth a small punt to make the semis.